Professional Division
Rules and Regulations$1,000.00 Best Professional Entry prize money from McKenzie Taxidermy Supply

1. Who May Compete: Anyone who desires
may enter this open division. This competition is geared toward professional
taxidermists.

2. Judging: Although the scoring system
is the same, judging will be less difficult than in the Master Division.
Good professional taxidermy standards will be considered and traditional
sportsman-oriented poses will be acceptable. Mounts must be technically
correct as to today's commercial standards as interpreted by the judging
staff. Each entry will be judged separately and independently by one of
the division judges.

3. Categories and Awards: The Best Professional Entry,
chosen from the eleven Best of Category winners, will receive $1,000.00 from McKenzie Taxidermy Supply.

Multiple First, Second and Third place ribbons will be awarded
in each category. First Place: 90 or above. Second Place: 80-89. Third
Place: 70-79.

4. Multiple Entries: There is no limit
to the number of entries a competitor may place in the competition. A competitor
with multiple entries may receive as many awards as are earned by his or
her entries.

5. Individual Work: All taxidermy
procedures must be done by the individual competitor and certified as such
by his or her signature at the time of entering.

6. Reproductions: In this division,
commercial blanks will be allowed as long as the competitor performs all
the finishing of the blank. In other words, you cannot purchase a finished
blank and enter it in your name. This is also the category in which original (your work) antlers and horns will compete.

7. Freeze Dry: Freeze dry preservation
of flesh may not be entered in this division. Specifically, all parts of
the specimen must be completely skinned (including the head), prepared,
and then mounted over a mannikin prior to any freeze dry preservation to
reduce shrinkage. (In this division, freeze dried or artificial turkey
heads prepared by others are allowed.)

8. Skeletons Criteria: There will be a size limitation in this category: a skeleton the size of a wolf (100-pound animal) or smaller. The basic criteria on which a skeleton will be judged will be the correct order and sequence of bone placement, their connections, and the cleanliness of the individual bones, and form. The anatomic accuracy and posture should give the skeleton the ability to suggest the essence of the species depicted. As for craftsmanship and mechanical soundness, no strong odors should be present, chemical or organic. There should be no external evidence of corrosion or damage to the bone structure due to aggressive chemicals, or damage brought about by the (mechanical) cleaning process. (Natural damage however, i.e. bones that were broken and have healed, or bone growths that are evident in the living animal, add extra interest to the skeleton.) No tissue remains should be visible on connecting individual bones. Symmetry is a very important factor, especially where the ribcage is concerned. There should be no traces of grease or fatty remains that suggest insufficient cleaning. Special care should have been taken to ensure completeness of the intricate nasal bones. "Floating bones," i.e., the ocular disc, the penis bone, the bones of the tongue and larynx, and some of the ribs in fish, etc., may be omitted, however, credit should be given for completeness. The support armature(s) and connections between individual bones should be as well hidden and as strong as technically possible. The base should be considered as an integral part of the piece, thus offering more scope for artistic expression and composition. Exceptional craftsmanship and difficulty factors will be taken into account.

9. Rugs: Rugs will compete in the Professional Division. Multiple First, Second and Third place ribbons may be awarded according to score.

Interpretations of all rulings or
regulations (and any rules not provided for) will be decided by the World
Taxidermy Championships® Regulatory Committee. If you have a specific
question regarding the competition, contact Regulatory Committee Chairman,
Skip Skidmore at Brigham Young
University, 290 M.L. Bean Museum, Provo, UT 84602. Telephone: 801-378-5052.